Detroit Lakes Man Charged in Pipe Assault

DETROIT LAKES, Minn. — (trfnews.i234.me) — A local man faces several charges after a dispute over a missing chainsaw.

Micah Scott Ailie, 43, was charged Tuesday in Becker County District Court.

He faces felony second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon. He also faces misdemeanor domestic assault and property damage charges.

The felony charge carries up to seven years in prison. It also carries a possible $14,000 fine.

Dispute Began Over Missing Chainsaw

The criminal complaint was filed on July 1. It says the incident happened on June 29 in Becker County.

The victim went to Ailie’s County Highway 6 residence. He wanted to discuss a chainsaw that was not returned.

Investigators say the discussion became heated. Ailie allegedly grabbed a 10-foot aluminum pipe during the argument.

He then pushed the pipe into the victim’s chest with both hands, according to the complaint.

The impact forced the victim backward. The two men then struggled over the pipe.

The victim eventually gained control of it. He placed the pipe inside a nearby barn.

The victim returned from the barn and searched for his phone. It had fallen during the struggle.

He reportedly found Ailie standing near the phone with a scythe.

Ailie allegedly used the scythe to damage the phone. The victim feared another attack, the complaint states.

However, investigators said Ailie did not directly threaten him with the scythe.

A responding officer saw a dark line across the victim’s shirt. Redness was also visible on his chest.

The phone showed heavy damage, according to the complaint.

Authorities did not find Ailie that day. They located him on June 30 at a Detroit Lakes residence.

Ailie was found in the basement and arrested. A search allegedly uncovered a burned glass pipe.

Ailie reportedly admitted owning the pipe. He also admitted using methamphetamine on the incident date.

During questioning, Ailie said the victim blocked his path while he searched for the chainsaw.

He said he used the aluminum pipe to move the victim. He denied striking him with it.

Ailie also admitted to throwing the phone. He said it fell after the victim pushed him.

Ailie remains in custody under a detention order. Further court proceedings are pending.

Case information may be available through Minnesota Court Records Online.

State law on second-degree assault appears in Minnesota Statute 609.222.

Charges are allegations. Ailie is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

I’m Chris Harper, reporting for TRF News.